### Rise in High-Impact Crimes Among Youths from Age 14, Warns Tijuana Security Chief
In Tijuana, the age at which young individuals begin to engage in criminal behavior is becoming alarmingly lower. Fernando Sánchez González, Secretary of Security and Citizen Protection of Tijuana (SSPCM), has emphasized the urgent need for authorities to bolster crime prevention programs. He noted that minors as young as 14 years old have been apprehended for participating in severe criminal activities, not just minor offenses.
Sánchez González expressed serious concern over the trend of young people getting involved in high-impact crimes such as organized crime, rather than merely engaging in petty theft or graffiti. On average, between four to ten minors within this age range are detained regularly. He pointed out that criminal groups find it appealing to recruit youths due to the differing legal consequences faced by minors compared to adults.
The Tijuana security chief underscored the importance of preventative work and the critical role parents play in monitoring the content their children are exposed to on social media and television, as well as their peer interactions. Many of these youths come from dysfunctional environments, where issues like alcoholism and drug addiction among parents lead them to seek companionship in gangs, gradually escalating from minor acts of delinquency to more serious criminal activities.
Sánchez González also called for societal efforts to address and reduce the consumption of illegal substances, aiming to shrink the existing market for them in the border city. He stressed that collaboration with the community is vital in fostering a better society and ensuring ongoing crime prevention initiatives.
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### Increased Efforts Needed to Address Juvenile Involvement in Crime
Recent data underscores the troubling trend of minors being implicated in severe criminal activities. Reports have indicated that in addition to the surge in high-impact crimes among 14-year-olds, similar patterns are being observed in other regions.
Authorities are focusing on expanding youth outreach programs to deter young people from being lured into criminal networks. Strategies include enhancing educational initiatives, after-school programs, and family support services to identify and address underlying issues such as domestic violence, substance abuse, and economic hardship.
The involvement of minors in serious crimes is not unique to Tijuana. Cities across Mexico and even globally are recognizing the necessity for increased funding and resources for law enforcement agencies to implement effective youth crime prevention measures. Collaboration with international organizations specializing in juvenile justice and crime prevention is being considered as a means to develop more comprehensive and adaptive strategies.
Efforts are also being made to improve the juvenile justice system, ensuring that it not only enforces the law but also provides pathways for rehabilitation and reintegration into society. This holistic approach aims to break the cycle of crime by addressing its root causes, offering support, and creating opportunities for young individuals to choose a different path.